Entertainment

Oprah's Designer Nate Berkus Tackles Twitter Backgrounds

Interior designer and FOO (that's "friend of Oprah") Nate Berkus has recently jumped on the social media bandwagon. Best known as Oprah's go-to interior designer (and a host on Oprah's radio network), Berkus also has a line of products with HSN. Although hesitant at first, Berkus is now a full-fledged Twitter-holic. Not content with just beautifying homes, Berkus has created some Twitter backgrounds that users can download to personalize their own pages.

I had a chance to interview Nate via e-mail about his recent Twitter epiphany as well as his Twitter background collection.

Mashable: When did you start using Twitter? How do you like it?

Nate: I'm a recent convert. In fact, I resisted a bit. I just couldn't imagine anyone would care that I was ordering Pad Thai for dinner or got a steal of purchase on eBay. But, my team strong-armed me and said I just needed to give it a try. And, as much as I hate to admit it, they were right. I am obsessed. I'm more interested in what other people are doing all day long than anything else. It's fascinating. And, I think it's a total game changer. You have a job interview and you need the inside scoop. With a few clicks, you can find out about the person interviewing you loves baseball or jazz...it's total access.

Mashable: What made you want to design custom Twitter backgrounds? What ideas do you have for the future?

Nate: I had no idea about any of it. Within minutes of clicking around, I found myself commenting on people's backgrounds...photos of their kids, the dogs, things that were unique to them. I wanted to personalize my page. We started tossing out ideas and the thought came to us to use my sheet patterns from spring. They're graphic, colorful, on trend....it just felt like a great way to make my page truly my own.

Mashable: Why is Facebook your distribution channel of choice? Any plans for any Facebook fan-page designs?

Nate: I'd have to say that I'm more on the Twitter bandwagon at the moment. Facebook is a bit more involved for me. So, I've got some help on that front. There's so much that you can put on Facebook and do. I'm more the brass tacks type...so I found myself jumping on that train first. But, as I learn more about Facebook, I'm realizing the power. Yesterday, my entire family's on Facebook...all connected and direct messaging. It's crazy!!! And, it's not just family....I think you can find anyone on Facebook. Plus, you get direct access to people that you are inspired by. We haven't had that before. We'd see the people we love in their movies or on in an interview. But, to see Oprah tweeting that she just went to a movie. I don't know....it's just cool.

Mashable: What would you say to encourage other designers to join in beautifying Twitter?

Nate: For me, it's not about beautifying...it's more about personalizing. Twitter is a place where you share your thoughts, yourself....you don't want a plain white backdrop for that. You want the entire page to say something about who you are. Designer or not, if the urge strikes you, go for it. Put up that watercolor you've never shown anyone. Take a photo of that hat you just knitted....whatever it is, share it. That's what Twitter and Facebook are all about.

Design and Social Media Cross Promotion

Nate's first batch of backgrounds is based off a pattern from his upcoming line of sheets. That's pretty savvy; promote an upcoming product line by integrating elements of it into social media. You can download Nate's Twitter backgrounds from his Facebook page. Keep checking back for new designs.

Personally, I hope this idea takes off. We already have designers creating themes for web browsers like Firefox and Google Chrome. It's time for Twitter to get some love too.

What do you think of the way social media is intersecting with things like interior design, that aren't inherently web-based? Let us know!

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